Chooch goes 2-for-2 with an RBI in DL return

By Jake Kaplan / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- In his first action in more than five weeks, Carlos Ruiz picked up right where he left off.

Inserted as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning of Sunday night's 7-4 win over the Rockies, Ruiz went 2-for-2 with an RBI.
The Phillies' All-Star catcher had been out since Aug. 2 with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He was activated from the disabled list on Friday, but the Phillies are trying to ease him back into playing. Once he gets comfortable, he could start a couple games per week.

"He said he felt fine," manager Charlie Manuel said. "If you noticed, he was running OK, but he wasn't running good enough to score from second base and stuff. That could be tough for him. But we'll watch him."

Sunday's two-hit performance was Ruiz's 29th multi-hit game of the year. He upped his average to .340 on the season.

Frandsen day to day with stress fracture in left fibula

PHILADELPHIA -- An MRI revealed on Saturday that Kevin Frandsen has a stress fracture in his left fibula. He is day to day and the Phillies say he can play to the tolerance of the pain, but he will likely sit out the remainder of this weekend's series against the Rockies.

Frandsen will be reevaluated before the start of Monday's home series against the Marlins, assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said, adding he thought Frandsen sustained the injury during the recent series in Atlanta.

Frandsen has impressed since coming up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 27, compiling multi-hit games in 12 of his 33 starts at third base. Overall, he's hitting .336 with three doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. His 37 hits in August tied for third-most in the National League.

Coupled with Placido Polanco's season-ending back injury, Frandsen's absence leaves the Phillies thin at third base. Utility infielder Michael Martinez started at third for the second straight day on Saturday. Pete Orr, a September call-up, is another option at the hot corner, if needed.

Left-hander Valdes likely done for season

PHILADELPHIA -- Reliever Raul Valdes will undergo arthroscopic surgery on the meniscus in his right knee on Monday at the Rothman Institute, likely ending his season.

The 34-year-old left-hander and first-year Phillie was 3-2 with a 2.90 ERA in 27 appearances this year, but had not pitched since Aug. 30. He will likely be placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug 31.

With Valdes out, Antonio Bastardo, Jake Diekman and Jeremy Horst are the Phillies' left-handed options out of the bullpen.

Worth noting

• With a pair of steals in Friday's 3-2 win, Juan Pierre moved into sole possession of 19th place on the Major League's all-time stolen base list. The veteran outfielder's 588 career swipes lead all active players.

• Jimmy Rollins's 17 home runs entering Saturday tie him for the team lead with Hunter Pence, who was traded to the Giants on July 31. Rollins has a chance to become the first Phillies shortstop to lead the team in home runs for a season.

• John Mayberry Jr. is hitting .368 (25-for-68) with four doubles, four home runs and 12 RBIs in his last 18 games.

• The R-Phils, the Phillies' Double-A affiliate, were set to play Game 4 of their five-game playoff series against the Trenton Thunder, the Yankees' Double-A club, on Saturday night. The R-Phils trail the series, 2-1, after losing Thursday and Friday.

Jake Kaplan is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.